State governments can now conduct raids and seize land to curb illegal e-waste processing, says NRES after MEXCOE meeting.
PUTRAJAYA: The state government has been allowed to take firmer and more comprehensive action to curb illegal electronic waste (e-waste) processing activities, including conducting raids and seizing land belonging to premises involved.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) said the matter was agreed at the first 2026 Meeting of Environment Ministers and State Executive Councillors Responsible for the Environment (MEXCOE 1/2026) on Thursday (May 7).
“The approach is a proactive and strategic step to strengthen existing enforcement efforts while ensuring illegal e-waste processing activities are tackled more effectively,” the statement said.
NRES said tougher action by state governments against premises involved in such activities was among the key focus areas discussed at MEXCOE 1/2026, chaired by its minister, Datuk Seri Joseph Arthur Kurup.
State executive councillors responsible for environmental matters nationwide, along with senior officials from relevant federal and state departments and agencies, attended the meeting.
NRES said the meeting was also told that 83 illegal e-waste processing plants had been identified nationwide through three rounds of Ops Hazard conducted by the Department of Environment in collaboration with various enforcement agencies.
NRES also said findings from the Malaysian Environmental Performance Index (MyEPI) study, carried out with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), were presented at the meeting.
“The MyEPI study provides a comprehensive assessment of environmental performance across Malaysia and serves as a data-driven, evidence-based tool to support decision-making,” the statement said.
The meeting also discussed the implementation status of the ban on single-use plastic bags, the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s readiness to monitor transboundary haze using aerosol and air pollutant dispersion modelling, as well as updates on open burning incidents and preventive measures.
